Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1887-04-28
e THE NATIONS CAPITOL.
The Structure Will BE the Most Beau.
tiful and Extensive in the World
Building the Marble Ter
race and the Grand
Staircase.

the balmy days of spring presents once
more O scene of busy energy among
the scores of workmen who with crane
and trowel are placing the hugh blocks
of polished marble and granite in their
assigned places on the master builders
plan. A procession of carts stimuli
taneously carry away the excavated
earth as the foundation of the extern
sion of the gigantic work goes on.
When the French engineer, under in
structions from President Washington
in the summer of 1890, made a recon-
noisance of the gracefully undulating
lands in the forks of the Potomac and
the Anacostia as the site of the propos-
ed seat of government, he pointed out
on his rude field sketch conspicuous
eminence, then called Jenkins hill, as
the most proper site for the federal
house where congress should meet"
Three years later Washington laid the
cornerstone of the original edifice,
which is now little more than the foun.
dation of the beautifully proportioned
iron dome towering over the balustrad-
ed marble walls and Corinthian porti-
Goes which to-day inclose the four
acres Offrescoed and gilded ante-rooms,
corridors, committee-rooms, and great
halls occupied by the business of legis-
lation.
The pure white marble walls and sur
mounting balustrade, with pedestals
for statues in the future, which have
supplanted the primitive turfed slopes
of the terraces on the north and south
sides of the edifice, have been finished.
The western portion from the angles to
the grand staircase is nearly so, which
leaves nothing to consummate this i'm
posing piece of architectural beauty
and solidity but the grand staircase
itself. This will be far toward compile
ton before the close of the present
working season.
Though but five years less than a
century has elapsed since the corner
stone of the Presidents house, the first
of the public buildings in the federal
city, was laid, Washington, the capital
of the United States, can boast of the
loftlest structure eXtant reared by man
in the marble obelisk to the memory of
'The Father of His Country 1t has
the largest and finest legislative and
government buildings OH the globe. 1t
has more equestrian statues, and as a
rule of equal merit, than all the other
capitals of the world combined, and it's
open air and indoor statues number up
ward of a hundred. Its national mu-
seums are the greatest and finest in the
economical, chronological, and medical
affairs of mankind of aEy in existence.
Its new library building will eclipse in
beauty all structures of the kind now
in existence. Its new observatory will
surposs all others. The extension of its
water supply will exceed the great
aqueducts of Rome. The latest triumph
in the world of wonders of the Ameri-
can Capital will be this grand stair
case. Nothing of equal magnitude can
be found in the great capitals which
date back to the infancy of nations.
The grand terrace at Dresden, the fa-
nous gardens of Italy, the staircase of
Sans Souci at Pottsdam, the Vatican at
Rome, or the terrace and staircase at
Central Park, New York, do not even
approach it in dimensions, architect
ural symmetry, and elaboration of de-
tail and finish.
Some idea of the grandeur of this
work may be formed by reference to
its dimensions. The north terrace of
Maryland, and the south terrace, of
Massachusetts, white marbles, and each
3O4 feet in length and 20 feet high, each
terminating on the east in massive
marble blocked and paved approach to
the port cocheres respectively of the
Senate and House porticoes of the
eastern facade of the Capitol. The ter
race walls are capped with beautiful
marble balustrade and rail, with block
ings serving at intervals for superb
bronze lamp posts and pedestals for
statues, of which there would be ten
on each side. The walls of the western
terrace and grand staircase are 91S feet
in length or aggregating richly paved
way over 800 feet long, extending at
the base of the lofty Corinthian porti-
Goes of the northern, western, and
southern fronts of the vast structure.
Highly polished Aberdeen granite par
terres break the terrace platform into
two levels.
The grand staircase projects 112 feet
and consists of double flights of stems
A and 48 feet wide, with landings.
The distance between the two flights of
steps is l29 feet, AT the foot of the
staircase, facing on the semi-circular
walk, fronts Story's heroic bronze
statue of Chief Justice John Marshall.
In the rear will be beautiful fountain,
and in the face of the connecting wall
forming the middle landing will be
inches for ivy. From this platform
Will be five arches forming an arcaded
way into the sub-basement of the build
ing. AT each landing will be imposing
cheek blocks, which will support ornate
bronze lamps and statues. The stems
Will end on a broad platform 129 feet
deep and will be connected bv a halns-
trade over the arcaded front beneath
and bookings for statues and lamns
The western central portico, which
projects here, will be extended in svm-
metrical proportions to the approach.
The entire exterior of the original Capi-
tol, which is now the center and of
gray freestone painted white, will be
faced with marble to correspond with
The Senateand House extensions, In
order to utilize the space within the
terracew walls ninety-two vaults have
been constructed, and twenty-eight |
arge apartments suitablefor occupancy |
)f committees will front on the omen |
spaces toward the building. The ter
ace walls are constructed of alternate
'locks Of marble, 5xS feet and 10 inches
nigh and to 3 feet thick, fine rubbed
,ut work, and all resting on base of
,ennsylvania granite similarly treated.
The completion of the work will cost
Ipward of$1 900, 900. g
Looking from the upper platform,